Why Are We Getting So Violent?
Violence is an ever-growing trend across the globe. From our news feed to our entertainment, violence is quickly gaining ground all over the world.
According to the Peace Research Institute in Oslo, “2024 marked a historic peak in state-based conflicts, with 61 active conflicts across 36 countries – the highest number recorded since 1946. It was also the fourth most violent year since the end of the Cold War.”
Along the same line, the latest Global Peace Index confirmed that the average world peace index has deteriorated for the sixth consecutive year, with a 3,8% increase in violence levels across the world.
At first glance, we can explain this worrying trend by the radical changes in our lifestyles in the last decade, including our principles and goals, the way we communicate, and the messages we spread.
But the causes are even more complex, interacting and interplaying with one another, as if in a gigantic jigsaw puzzle.
Here we examine some of the reasons -some evident, some not quite so- for the phenomenon of increasing violence in society, and how to reverse this trend.
Changing social paradigms and the degradation of traditional values
For centuries, people throughout the world shared and followed a similar code of conduct: respect to the elders, women and children, respect to the law and authority, consideration towards others, honor, nobleness, discipline, a clear distinction between right and wrong, etc.
Eroding these pillars of common behavior has weakened social harmony.
Traditional values evolved through millennia of trial and error and, although not entirely perfect, these are the most accurate way to help restrain our primitive impulses, allowing us to live in harmony with others.
The new prevailing culture of individualism has weakened the role of parents and family, fostering antisocial attitudes and actions, all under the flag of personal freedom.
Left almost on their own and under the influence of social media, the young may often feel aimless and alienated, and are not taught to reflect, think critically, act responsibly, or take accountability, in a world that privileges quick and superficial responses charged with raw emotionality.
Modern psychiatry has found a co-relation between violent behavior and certain mental disorders, but these have often been used without any professional diagnosis to justify almost any type of violence.
Excusing and justifying violent actions, without acting upon them or their underlying causes, only fosters these conducts.
The decision to legalize drugs such as cannabis (which impairs judgment, decision-making, emotions, and causes cognitive problems), has normalized its consumption and opened the door to harder drugs, thus destabilizing even further the social fabric.
Excess of personal freedom granted to those who can’t control themselves, lack of discipline, overindulgence, and excess of tolerance have opened the door to antisocial behaviors, while at the same time positive social conducts, such as good manners, are weakened.
Manners are not old-fashioned nonsense, but social tools evolved through millennia, proven to keep good relationships within a community or group.
However, nowadays they are hardly being taught or enforced either at home or in school, leaving the young without tools to manage their emotions or avert conflicts.
Surprisingly, respect towards each other is not the monopoly of humans - in the wilderness, animals normally cooperate and respect each other’s boundaries in order to keep a harmonious co-existence and stay away from aggression.
Modern lifestyle and its impact on our health
Pressed by an ever-competitive world, we often fill our lives with endless activities and engagements, each one demanding their own space and attention. But most of these are carried out through screens, which adds even more stress to our system.
Nowadays we seem to be more connected to our smartphones than to the people around us, and this brings in a new set of problems.
Several studies have found that excess of screen time has severe consequences for our health, both physical and psychological.
Along the issues related to excessive screen time are a higher risk of obesity, sleep disorders, and mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
The impact is even more severe in children, a demographic in which excess of screen time has been linked to impulsiveness, irritability, and an impairment in cognitive development.
However, regardless of our age, excess of screen time can obstruct our ability to interpret emotions, fueling aggressive behavior, hindering our social-emotional development, impairing emotional comprehension and our social and emotional competence.
Having fewer resources of emotional resilience -such as tight contact with family, a net of close friends, a faith to rely on, etc.- may install in us a feeling of disconnection or helplessness, increasing our chances of developing mental issues.
In addition, lack of personal, physical contact decreases the production of hormones essential for our happiness and well-being, such as oxytocin and serotonin.
If, in addition, we don’t get a good night’s sleep or rest enough to replenish, we’ll feel irritable and more prone to act impulsively, since a tired brain can’t work optimally.
According to a study by the Cleveland Clinic, approximately one-third of adults worldwide report experiencing insomnia symptoms, and around 62%, report sleeping somewhat well or not well at all.
Stress and anxiety are two of the most common causes for insomnia, as well as excess of screen time and the use of stimulants such as coffee or energy drinks.
Our ever rushing and more ambitious lifestyles, carrying out a tight schedule of activities with a constant demand for instant gratification, drains us of mental and emotional energies, and often lead us to suffer from mental and emotional exhaustion.
This makes us more prone to emotional imbalances, causing depression, and other mental health issues. If in addition we are bombarded by daily worries and concerns, bad news, etc., we are overwhelming our system, risking a mental breakdown
We need time in order to process events, our thoughts and feelings. We need time off and space to relax and replenish our energies.
The negative impact of Internet and Social Media
It’s undeniable that internet is a fantastic tool, but unfortunately this technology has also been used to disseminate malicious content, and no user is entirely safe from its influence.
From the very inception of chat rooms, back in the 1990s, critics raised the alarm on the ease of users to hide their identities and abuse other chat members. The problem was never entirely solved, and by the time social media came to revolutionize the way we communicate, it was too late to control.
Violent content and fake news –among other negative content- are easily accessible on internet and social media, a tool favored by fake accounts, bots, and trolls, who hide behind fake identities in order to sabotage, spread animosity, falsehood, and abuse other users.
More than any other media, social media is responsible for spreading animosity while isolating us in bubble groups, sometimes even alienating us, thus feeding further polarization, aggressive attitudes, and violence.
We are constantly bombarded by an avalanche of information, much of which is negative or false. With the ever-growing use of AI tools we can't even trust our eyes to detect falsehood from reality. We no longer know what or whom to trust.
All this causes a deep sense of destabilization, and when we feel unstable, our brain interprets it as a threat activating our automatic 'fight or flee' response. Therefore, it's not surprising that we may be feeling more anxious and angrier.
If we also lack the necessary maturity to control our impulses -as it often happens with the young, whose prefrontal cortex is still developing - the result may lead to responding in ways we may regret later.
The influence of entertainment
In 2022, there was international uproar when China demanded that the ending of the children's film “Minions: The Rise of Gru” was changed for its local release, informing the audience that the main evil character received a punishment and subsequently rehabilitated.
Those against this measure decried censorship, citing freedom of expression as justification.
Although China has a long history of censorship and repression, in this case we should probably ask ourselves, why should it be considered 'censorious' to apply a punishment to evil characters in a children's film?
This is a valid concern, especially due to the increasing number of children's entertainment displaying delinquents, criminals and their activities as 'fun' or as merely 'misunderstood'.
Only among the segment of animated films, we may count: “Lilo and Stich”, “Despicable Me” and its 3 sequels, its spinoff “Minions” and its 2 sequels, as well as “Zootopia”, and “The Bad Guys”, each one with sequels, to name only a few.
Some may argue that it's only entertainment, but these films present ambiguous messages, and unless children have clear guidance on what's 'wrong' or 'right', as well as solid examples of correct behavior, the actions they see on these films will stay in their minds as examples to follow.
Human brains, especially in their early years, are designed to copy what they see.
In the same trend, over the last two decades, all of our entertainment has become increasingly dark, aggressive and pessimistic.
A study carried out by the Ohio State University in 2024, found that the number of scenes involving murders and killings in films has increased over the past 50 years.
The trend, they explained, was found across genres and was not limited to crime films, a trend that, they warn, is likely to continue.
Likewise, and with few honorable exceptions, the music consumed by the current generation of listeners is full of selfish and aggressive messages, installing a dangerous culture of violence associated to it.
A study carried out by the University of Innsbruck in 2024, compared 1200 songs in English from 1990 through 2023, and found that in these past five decades not only songs have become simpler and more repetitive, but also that their lyrics have become more negative and self-centered, with fewer positive or optimistic messages.
Shielded under the flag of ‘artistic expression’ and ‘freedom of speech’, some trends in entertainment make an overt or veiled apology of violence, thus spreading a dangerous concept of impunity.
Art, which is supposed to help us develop our sensitivity through beauty, has often been used as a tool of propaganda to spread ideologies.
Humor, a natural escape valve to our human concerns and the pressures of life, has been censored by the cancellation culture, imposing rigid and severe limits to what comedians can address or not.
All these leave the public with fewer escapes to stress and the mounting pressures of everyday life, installing in us a sense of pessimism and impacting our mental health.
Violence Sells
It's no secret that violence sells. News publishers, book sellers, and the entertainment industry have used shock, gore and violence to attract public since antiquity.
The ancient Greeks already used violence in plays for its cathartic effect; however, modern studies have revealed that when it comes to catharsis, nothing works better than humor.
As an evolutionary trait of survival, we are wired to pay attention to anything that causes us alarm, but it is also a well-known fact that sustained exposition to violence -whether real or fictitious- desensitizes the viewer and causes a sort of brainwash.
Many experts have declared that there is 'no evidence' that may link violent entertainment to actual violent actions. And yet, it is evident that there is a clear relationship between the level of violence in entertainment and the escalation of violence in society.
Although watching violence may not immediately impulse the viewer to repeat the violent act, it does plant the seed of violence in their minds, installing it as a valid reaction (in self-defense, in protest, in amusement, etc.), one which may be triggered when the viewer least expects it.
Violence is contagious and addictive
Strong primeval emotions, such as fear or rage, are highly contagious.
These emotions stimulate the amygdala, triggering the release of cortisol and dopamine, a hormone tightly associated to repetitive behavior and addictions.
At the same time, the human brain is programmed to respond to these stimuli as a survival mechanism. Thus, instead of becoming deterrents, acts of violence often generate copycats, and fuel retaliation in even greater levels of violence.
An example of this are the variety of videos found on mainstream media and social media showing violent acts, which inspire others to try and replicate these actions - for the thrill of it, for likes, for followers, and for the promise of ‘becoming viral’.
In addition, many of such posts and articles idealize violence.
Radical and anarchic movements shield behind popular icons, such as Robin Hood or V for Vendetta, to romanticize violence.
Usually targeting the young, the idealists, and the social outcasts who want to feel ‘heroic’, these movements use the 'justice' claim to call for violence in the concept that “the goal justifies the means”.
Even popular best-sellers aimed to the young, such as The Hunger Games, make an apology of violence under this flag, not proposing any creative solution to conflicts, but continuing the centuries-old rule of retorting fire with fire.
Normalization of violence
In 2009, James Cameron showed his hugely successful film Avatar to a group of natives.
Since the story depicts an indigenous group defending their grounds, Cameron and the production team were excited to get their reaction, and were stunned to hear that the group had liked the film, except for the end. When asked why, they replied, “Because they went for war instead of seeking a peaceful agreement.”
We have become so used to violence that we may not be even considering other alternatives.
Our standards of accepted behavior have been eroded to the point where we have begun to normalize violence. One example of this is the prevalence of curse words in entertainment and the media as something ‘socially accepted’.
Violence is often a learned habit.
The way we speak is an expression of who we are and what we think, which is only one step away from what we do. Thus, normalizing violence in words is only one step away from normalizing violent actions.
Normalizing violence in the way we speak opens the door to increasing forms of aggression, such as bullying, abusive behavior, demeaning and dehumanizing those who are different from us or don’t agree with us.
Fewer examples of non-violence
Despite its multiple conflicts, the 20th century saw many actors and movements that continuously and consistently called for non-aggression and non-violence.
Popular opinion leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Olof Palme, and John Lennon -to name only a few- were vocal about non-violence and pacifism as valid tools of action and protest.
Conversely, since the start of the 21st century we have seen an increase in a showcase of explicit violence, aggression, horror, and gore across media, with fewer examples of concordance and agreement.
At the same time, instead of calling out for peace and understanding, global leaders poke the embers of discontent, feeding resentment, increasing mistrust in authorities, and fostering a feeling of destabilization.
We need more examples of non-violence and agreement
Modern technology has enabled us to have more access to communications than ever before, but this has also made us more exposed to examples of violence, both real and fictitious.
Worse still, when shown, examples of non-violence may be even ridiculed, an indication that violence as a form of conduct has already been normalized.
Our diets may be making us more violent
Snacks, fast foods, and comfort foods are staples of our modern lifestyles and usually considered harmless, but they may be contributing more than we think to global levels of violence.
Scientists have found strong evidence that there’s a direct correlation between our diets and our emotions. In particular, certain diets may make us more prone to violence.
Recent studies have found an important link between our brains and our guts, in what’s called the gut-brain axis.
In fact, the gut has been called a "second brain" because it produces many of the same neurotransmitters as the brain does, which play a key role in regulating our mood.
Sugar is a well-known stimulant also known for being highly addictive but, in addition, several studies have found that the prefrontal cortex - the area of the brain which regulates our actions, decisions and control of impulses- is weakened by diets high in fat and sugar.
In addition to the physical impact of excess of sugar on our bodies, diets high in sugars have also been linked to cognitive impairments, and to emotional disorders like anxiety or depression.
A poor diet, without enough variety of fresh greens, fruits, legumes, proteins, etc., has a direct impact on the gut microbiota, and has been linked to increased aggression and violent behavior at all ages, but particularly in children and adolescents.
Excess of processed foods make us sadder and more aggressive
In addition, the popularization of energy drinks, particularly targeted at the young as fun and harmless, can have important effects on inducing violent behavior.
The dangerous side effects of energy drinks have been known for nearly a decade.
In 2017 a scientific study reported the consequences of energy drink consumption, which included heart, kidney, and dental problems, as well as risk-seeking behavior and poor mental health.
These health risks were associated with any caffeinated, sugary beverage that involved stimulants, like taurine, guarana, and ginseng, ingredients typically present in energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar.
Since then, several other studies have arrived at the same conclusion: due to their composition, there’s a strong relation between energy drinks and mental health problems, aggressive behaviors and fatigue, an effect that can be multiplied when used along alcohol or other substances.
Lack of enough green spaces
Most of the population of the world nowadays live in big cities, often with little to no access to green spaces.
The increase of global deforestation due to wildfires and human action only worsen this problem.
While at first glance this may not seem too important, recent studies have found a tight correlation between the availability of green areas and low levels of criminality, and between mental health and spending time in green outdoors.
Having fewer spaces where we can relax in contact with nature makes us more anxious and aggressive.
Excess of heat
We all feel uneasy when the temperature rises beyond what can be deemed ‘comfortable’, but now different studies have confirmed that excess of heat may increase violent or aggressive behavior in humans.
There are two main theories that explain a link between temperature and violent behavior. The first is known as the biological theory, which stipulates that hot weather induces interpersonal violence by increasing discomfort, frustration, impulsiveness, and aggression.
However, this theory does not explain the increase in violent crime in areas where the temperature has risen to comfortable levels.
The second theory, known as the routine activity theory, suggests that a considerable change in temperature can alter people's social activities, thus increasing interpersonal conflicts.
Both theories also take into consideration other factors, such as demographic, cognitive aspects, personality, and biological factors that affect the way a person reacts.
All studies conclude that the rise in global temperatures does have an impact on the occurrence of violent acts.
Researchers indicate that, as climate change leads to more frequent and intense heat waves, it is likely that the link between heat and violence may also increase.
Less reading
Can reading make us happier individuals? Science says so, and provides interesting evidence for it.
Reading is not only a pastime - it's a cognitive exercise directly linked to the development of our empathy and of critical thinking, both essential to the control of our impulses and the understanding of the world around us.
In addition to the source, length, and content of what we read, the platform we use to read on also has an effect on the benefits we may reap from this activity.
And once again, screens are on the losing ground, for scientists have determined that reading on screens do not render the same benefits as reading on printed paper.
What to do to stop violence?
The phenomenon of violence has been studied for centuries, and doctors, psychologists, behavioral scientists and other experts have come up with countless recommendations to prevent its onset as well as methods and techniques to manage it.
One of such methods is the "Smash Room", a especially prepared area for people to vent their anger by destroying things in a controlled environment.
At first, the idea sounds great, and in theory it should work: we release steam and get rid of our violent impulses - right? Not so, say psychologists.
In fact, the best action against violence is prevention - learning how to handle negative emotions in a positive way so that we don’t explode when we meet situations that trigger our anger, anxiety, frustration, etc.
Psychologists have concluded that some positive outlets to stress and the most effective ways to combat frustration and prevent violence are:
-Learning to control your breath
-Exercise
-Balanced diet
-Self-control
-Laughter
Other effective tools are meditation, positive thinking, and keeping a supporting net of friends and family to share happy and sad times with.
In addition, scientist have also found that writing down (by hand) our angry thoughts and frustration on a paper, and then ripping it, brings instant relief to anger.
Although peace is an ambitious goal, it’s not entirely unreachable, and what’s best is that the tools to reach it are well-known and are at everyone’s reach.
Learning morals, ethics, common sense, good manners, and respect since childhood provide us with a solid basis of behavior, without which is impossible to attain a harmonious coexistence in society.
In addition, we must educate for peace, learning to develop our skills of communication and dialogue, how to manage aggressiveness and defuse conflicts, cooperation and empathy, among other important soft skills.
Finally, our personal choices are fundamental.
Violence is a part of life, but one that is in our hands to control.
Refusing to validate violent acts, choosing non-violence (in thoughts, words, actions, attitudes, diet, entertainment, etc.), and finding positive outlets to stress and frustration can make a world of difference for our lives and for society as a whole.
For More Information
*To learn more about educating for peace, visit the Peace education website
*To learn more about the psychology of releasing anger -what works and what doesn’t- read this interesting article: https://psychologydegreeguide.org/resources/anger-psychology/
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